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Posey's RBI single 0:40

4/14/13: Buster Posey singles back up the middle to score Brandon Crawford and give the Giants a two-run cushion in the top of the 10th

By JR Radcliffe
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MLB.com |

MILWAUKEE -- Miller Park figured to be a haven for Giants catcher Buster Posey. Coming into the series with the Brewers, Posey had gone 12-for-24 (.500) with eight runs scored, a double, six home runs and 15 RBIs in his seven games at Milwaukee's home stadium. He added another double Tuesday in four trips to the plate.

But after finishing 0-for-4 on Wednesday, that represented one of only two hits in the first six games (five starts) of the current road trip for the reigning National League Most Valuable Player. His 2013 batting average tumbled to .213 and his OPS to .634. Manager Bruce Bochy gave Posey the day off Thursday.

Posey batted .336 with a .957 OPS last season, helping the Giants to the World Series one year after sustaining a leg injury that abbreviated his 2011 campaign.

"I felt as good as I've felt at the plate," Posey said after his team's 4-3 loss Wednesday. "Obviously the frustrating one for me was the bases loaded, but with Hunter picking me up, it's a little easier to swallow. It's a matter of keep on grinding and keep working."

Posey was referring to a strikeout on four pitches in the sixth with the bases loaded and one out in a game the Giants trailed by two runs. Hunter Pence followed with a slow roller up the middle that tied the game against Brewers starter Kyle Lohse.

Posey did hit into some bad luck, smoking a shot back up the box that deflected off Lohse to shortstop Jean Segura, who rifled to first in time.

"You've got to take away whatever I can that's positive; I've felt pretty good at the plate these two days," Posey said. "The first two at-bats, I was happy with those, and then the one I struck out on, I don't feel like I wasn't on time in that at-bat, it's just a matter of not squaring the ball up."

Posey's six home runs were the most in any opposing stadium, and he's looking for his first blast in any park this year. Posey said he hasn't been pressing.

"That's what I've been pleased with the past two games here, is I feel like I've swung at strikes for the most part," Posey said.

The Giants have grounded into 16 double plays through 15 games, the most in the big leagues. Posey had hit into three.

JR Radcliffe is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.